Neck brace



May 23, 1967 R. T. MCELVENNY NECK BRACE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 25, 1965 INVENTOR.

May 23, 1967 R. T. MCELVENNY 3,320,950

NECK BRACE Filed April 25, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR United States Patent O 3,320,950 NECK BRACE Robert T. McElvenny, '720 N. lidichigan Ave., Chicago, ill. 69611 Filed Apr. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 275,562 2 Claims. (Cl. 12S- 75) This invention relates generally to surgical braces and supports and relates more particularly to cervical collars.

In the past, various types of collars have been developed for assisting the muscles and vertebrae of the cervical region in supporting a persons head. Such appliances are commonly used in promoting healing and in preventing further injury; but to achieve these objectives, the prior art cervical collars have been created as complicated, clumsy devices. This undesirable attribute of previous cervical collars has resulted in part from the misconception that such an appliance can only be fitted to a particular patient by rendering the collar adjustable. The deficiencies of the prior yart neck braces are also the product of a failure to take advantage of newly developed materials and fabricating techniques.

Therefore, a general object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved surgical brace.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a neck brace that can be readily tailored to iit a particular patient.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cornfortable, effective neck brace that can be cut with hand shears.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a neck brace of laminated construction.

These and other objects and features of the invention will become more apparent from `a consideration of the following disclosure.

A neck brace according to the invention includes a laminated collar having a shearable reinforcing lamina, a surfacing lamina, and an attachment layer securing the surfacing lamina to the reinforcing lamina at least at edge regions which are desired to be modified by cutting in order to tailer the brace to t a particular person, the neck brace of the invention further including interconnectable coupling elements at the opposite ends 4of the collar member for securing the brace about a persons neck.

In order that the principles of the invention may be readily understood, several embodiments thereof are shown in the accompanying `drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the neck brace of the invention secured about a persons neck in use;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective View of the neck brace of FIG. l;

`FIG. 3 is a further enlarged, plan View of the neck brace of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a reduced scale, perspective view of the neck brace shown in the process of being c-ut at an edge region in order to be tailored to fit a particular person;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view taken substantially through the section 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional View similar to the showing of FIG. 5 but illustrating a modified construction of the neck brace of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the neck brace of FIG. 3 with a height extension member aiiixed thereto;

FIG. 8 is a perspective View of the height extension member of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view taken substantially through the section 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. l() is a diagrammatic representation of the neck brace and height extension member of FIG. 7 secured about a persons neck in use; and

'31,320,95@ Patented May 23, 1967 ice FIG. l1 is an enlarged perspective view of a modified construction of the height extension member of the invention.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, specifically to FIGS. 1 3, a neck brace indicated generally by the numeral `10 is seen to include a collar member 12 and interconnectable coupling arrangements 14. The co-upling arrangements 14 are situated at the opposite ends of the collar member for securing the ,brace 1t) about a persons neck. In compliance with a feature of the invention, the collar member is of laminated construction; and considering FIG. 5, collar member 12 is seen to comprise a support member or reinforcing lamina 16 which is sandwiched between covering layers or surfacing laminae 1S.

The support member or reinforcing lamina 16 is selected to be made of a flexible semi-rigid shearable sheet material; and such materials as cellulose acetate plastic, ethyl cellulose plastic, unplasticized polyvinylchloride plastic, mechanical grades of vulcanized fibre, aluminium alloys and pressed cardboard have proved luseful in thisV regard. These materials are listed as :being exemplary, and the recitations are not intended to be limiting or exhaustive of possible materials for the lamina 16. The thickness of the la-mina 16 is arranged to cooperate with the specific material selected so as to provide not only enough rigidity for adequate support of the persons neck but also sufficient flexibility to permit the collar to be shaped about the persons neck. In addition, the material selected for the lamina 16 is one which is shearable, i.e. one that may be readily cut using hand shears. Desirably, the material is sufiiciently shearable to be cut with the kind of scissors that are conventionally available in a doctors office.

On the other hand, the laminae 18 are made of a soft sheet material such as felt, other nonwoven materials, and fabrics of relatively high bulk. So fabricated, the

laminae 18 provide a comfortable, cushioned surface.

for Contact with the neck and adjacent portions of a patients body.

The invention contemplates the provision of a multitude of `attachment sites acting between the support mernber or reinforcing lamina l'16 and the covering layers or surfacing laminae 18; and these attachment sites are ad vantageously arranged to establish a substantially continuous bond between the respective laminae at least at edge regions of the collar member 12. Thus, the collar mernber may 'be modified by cutting away portions of these edge regions in order to tailor the brace to tit ya particular person. The close spacing of the attachment sites is contemplated in order to permit trimming While preventing separation of the Various lamina as a result of the cutting.

These attachment sites are advantageously provided by interposing an attachment layer between the reinforcing lafmina 16 and the respective surfacing laminae 18, the sites in such case merging to form a continuous joint. The attachment layer 20 comprises a film of a selected adhesive, and curing of the adhesive may be achieved by the application of heat and pressure, by the evaporation of solvents, or other suitable procedures according to the nature of the adhesive material employed. While la continuous adhesive fil-m may be distributed una formly over the confronting faces of the respective laminae, it is also possible to provide such a film only at marginal regions of the laminae; and in addition, acceptable attachment sites may be provided by printing a pattern of discrete areas of active adhesive on one of the contacting faces of the laminae or only at edge regions thereof.

A modified collar member is shown in FIG. 6 where like numerals have been used to designate like elements,

the suffix letter "n being employed to distinguish those elemen-ts associated with the modified embodiment. The collar member 12a shown in FIG. 6 is distinguished by the provision of only a single covering layer or surfacing lamina 18ct. In such instance, the covering layer is arranged to be disposed in contact with the skin surface of the person using the neck brace whereby to afford the desired comfort. Correspondingly, the support member or reinforcing lamina 16a is exposed exteriorly.

With reference to FIG. 3, the collar member 12 is arranged to be wide enough at a central region 22 to reach from the sternum to the chin and wide enough at end regions 24 to reach from the .base of the occiput to the base of the neck. Moreover, the laminae from which the collar member 12 is fabricated are perforated or relieved at appropriate edge portions with a circular cutout or arcuate notch 26 `which is adapted approximately to accommodate a persons chin. Additional circular cutouts or arcuate notches 28 are provided in longitudinally spaced relation adjacent the opposite edge approximately to accommodate a persons shoulders. The ultimate fitting that is achieved through the employ of the cutouts 28 and 26 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The relieved edge portions which are defined by the cutouts 26 and 28 are established by either incising the individual laminae before that assembly or by cutting the final laminated structure. In either event, it will be realized that the individual laminae are provided with respective cutout regions which are aligned to define the arcuate notches 26 and 28.

Two -coupling arrangements 14 are shown for use in securing `the brace about a persons neck. However, one such coupling arrangement or more than two may a-lso be utilized. In a conventional manner, each of the coupling arrangements 14 includes a strap 30 of leather, cloth belting or other suitable material; and adjustably positionable buckles 32 are assembled to the strap 30, each of the buckles 32 being provided iwith a snap fastener 34 on the underside thereof as is best shown in FIG. 2. The snap fasteners 34 are adapted to cooperate with meshing snap fasteners 36 which are mounted at suitable locations on the outside surface of the collar member 12.

Having thus described one construction of the invention and one modification thereof, it is important now to state how the neck brace of the invention is used. From the foregoing descriptions, it will :be appreciated that the co1- lar member 12 comprises a exible semi-rigid shearable element that is capable of being shaped so as to take generally tubular form as is s-hown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, the collar member 12 is preliminarily formed with cutouts which are adapted to accommodate a persons chin and shoulders in approximate fashion. After the collar 10 has been tried on a patient, it will be readily apparent to the attending physician wherein the cutouts 26 and 28 require modication so as to fit the chin and shoulders o-f the patient wit-h exactness. It will also be apparent whether the collar member is too long for the particular individual involved.

Thereupon, the neck ybrace 10 will be removed from the i patient and the cutout regions modified or reshaped to impnove the fit imparted thereby. As is shown in FIG. 4, the cutout 26 may be broadened by cu-tting away a portion of the edge region of the collar member adjacent thereto. Because of the construction of the collar member 12, band shears such as the scissors 38, may be employed in this operation. Similarly, if the collar member 12 is too long, a portion 40 of one or both ends may be cut away using scissors Vor other suitable hand shears in order to shorten the collar and improve the fit of the neck brace 10 for the individual patient.

After the collar member 12 has been tailored to fit the particular person involved, the brace will be put on and the coupling arrangements 14 fastened to secure the brace in place. As will be recognized, the buckles 32 may be repositioned to achieve a desired degree of tightness of the neck brace.

The central region 22 of the collar member 12 has been described as being wide enough to reach from the sternurn to the chin. The adjacent end regions 24 have been described as being wide enough to reach from the base of the oociput to the base of the neck. Now while it is possible to reduce the width of the regions 22 and 24 by cutting, thereby reducing the height of the collar member 12 at these regions, under some circumstances it is desirable to increase the height of the collar member. Turning to FIG. 7, the neck brace 1li is seen arranged with a height extension member that is indicated generally by the numeral 42. The height extension member 42 is attached to either the upper or lower edge of the collar member 12 over lthe entire length thereof, as shown, or over a selected portion, as is desired.

With reference to FIG. S, the height extension `member 42 `will be seen to comprise an elongated strip 44 and a number of longitudinally spaced pairs of tabs 46. The strip 44 is fashioned `from a suitably flexible and resilient material, such as felt or a relatively high density foamed elastomer, the strip 44 being shaped to take substantially rectangular cross-section. The tabs 46 are advantageously secured to a common surface of the strip 44 by a layer 48 of suitable adhesive material. Furthermore, the confronting surfaces of each pair `of tabs 46 are coated with an active adhesive material 50 tha-t serves to attach the height extension member 42 to the collar member 12. Pressure sensitive adhesive :has proved useful in this regard.

As is shown in FIG. 9, the strip 44 of the height extension member 42 takes a thickness approximating the thickness of collar member 12, member 42 being provided with a correspondingly appropriate height. The tabs 46 are made yfrom a exible fabric material so that they may readily conform to the side `portions of the collar member 12. Moreover, the layers 50 of adhesive material may be interconnected by a bridging layer 52 ofthe same adhesive material in order to enhance the attachment of extension member 42 to the collar member 12. It is recognized that the height extension member 42 may `be originally fabricated as a coil or roll, and a suitable length cut therefrom for assembly with a particular collar member 12 in developing a tailored neck brace for a particular patient. A finished neck brace 10 with a height extension mem-ber 42 attached thereto is shown in use in FIG. 10.

The height extension member of the invention is capable of variation and modification, and one such modified embodiment is shown in FIG. l1 where like numerals have been used to designate like parts, the suffix letter "b being employed to distinguish those elements associated with the embodiment of FIG. 1l. There, the tabs 46b are distinguished by being fabricated from a relatively rigid, permanently deformable material such as sheet aluminum. So fabricated, the tabs `46h may be pinched or crimped onto fthe edge of the collar member for use in attaching the height extension member thereto. When the tabs 46h are employed in securing the height extension member to the collar member, the adhesive layers 50 and 52 may be omitted. Other means of attaching the height extension member to the collar member are also contemplated, as for example stapling.

While several embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it should be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made. It is, therefore, contemplated to cover by the present application any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. A neck brace comprising a collar member of relatively stiff material but circumferentially bendable forcontouring; height extension means including a strip of resilient material disposed in edgewise contact with said collar member and further including a plurality of flexible 5 ltabs secured t-0 said strip in longitudinally spaced relationship and having adhesive means thereon for attaching said strip to said collar member; interconnectable coupling means at the opposite ends with said collar member for securing said brace about a persons neck.

2. A neck brace comprising: a col-lar member of relatively `stiff material but circumferentially benda'ble for contouring; height extension means includin-g a strip of resilient material disposed in edgewise contact with said collar member and further including a plurality of perrnanently deformable tabs secured t0 said strip in longitudinally spaced relation for attaching said strip to said collar member; and interconnectable coupling means at the opposite ends 0f said collar member for securing said brace about a persons neck.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/11929 Griiths 20-69 `6/ 1938 Roberts 20--69 9/ 1955 Harris 20-69 5/ 1956 Bright 20--69 12/'1957 Smith et al. 128-87 2/ 1959 DeWoskin 128-75 4/1961 Brumeld et al 128-87 8/ 1962 Grassl a 12S-75 FOREIGN PATENTS 5/1956 Great Britain.

15 RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

J. W. HINEY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A NECK BRACE COMPRISING A COLLAR MEMBER OF RELATIVELY STIFF MATERIAL BUT CIRCUMFERENTIALLY BENDABLE FOR CONTOURING; HEIGHT EXTENSION MEANS INCLUDING A STRIP OF RESILIENT MATERIAL DISPOSED IN EDGEWISE CONTACT WITH SAID COLLAR MEMBER AND FURTHER INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF FLEXIBLE TABS SECURED TO SAID STRIP IN LONGITUDINALLY SPACED RELATIONSHIP AND HAVING ADHESIVE MEANS THEREON FOR ATTACHING SAID STRIP TO SAID COLLAR MEMBER; INTERCONNECTABLE COUPLING MEANS AT THE OPPOSITE ENDS WITH SAID COLLAR MEMBER FOR SECURING SAID BRACE ABOUT A PERSON''S NECK. 